Menu

Apostle Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Christ came to reveal Himself to all people so that all people from all nations could be saved. God gave the instruction to Paul: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19).

Paul, originally called Saul, was a Hebrew and a Roman citizen, a Pharisee of the strictest sect. Believing he was honouring God and preserving His teachings, Saul persecuted and imprisoned Christians. It was Gamaliel, his teacher who said: Keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God (Acts 5: 38-39).

After being present at the death of St Stephen the first martyr, Saul travelled to Damascus (35-36AD) to capture and persecute Christians. On his way, Christ appeared to Paul brighter than the sun and said: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Saul said: Who are You Lord?  The Lord answered: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (Acts 9:4-5). Immediately, Saul was blinded and had to be lead to Damascus where he lay for 3 days, eating nothing and pondering what had just occurred.

In this state, the Apostle Ananais came to Saul. He healed him of his blindness and told him what the Lord instructed: Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake (Acts 9: 15-16). Saul was then baptised by the Apostle Ananias and immediately received his sight. From now, he used his Roman name, Paul.

Paul spent the rest of his life travelling and preaching Christ to the Jews and Gentiles in virtually all the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. He suffered for Christ, continually skirting between life and death. He established Christian churches
everywhere he went and often travelled back to the churches to see how they were going. The first church established in Europe was in Philippi, northern Greece. To support the established Churches, Paul wrote them numerous letters, 14 of which are included in the New Testament.

Being inspired by the missionary work of Apostle Paul, the Apostle Paul Bookstore was named in his honour and in the hope that the Word of God will continue to make disciples of all the nations.

I will call them My people, who were not My people (Romans 9:25)